.jpeg)
.jpg)
Q&A with Dr Shiang Lim
A new nanodrug to protect the heart from damage after heart attack
Dr Shiang (Max) Lim is Head of the Cardiac Regeneration Group at St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research.
After completing his PhD from the University of Strathclyde (UK) in 2005, Dr Lim spent 4 years completing his postdoctoral research at The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute (University College London, UK). This research focused on targeting heart cell ‘machinery’ to protect the heart against damage following a heart attack.
In 2020, Dr Shiang Lim received a Heart Foundation Vanguard Grant. His project will build on his previous research and will investigate a new treatment to protect the heart from damage after a heart attack.
What are you currently researching?
Cardiovascular disease continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide. Effective new treatments that protect the heart from injury following a heart attack are urgently needed.
One of the processes that leads to heart damage from a heart attack is a change in the shape of the ‘powerhouse’ of heart cells; the mitochondrion. Mitochondria can either fuse together or divide, and the balance between fusion and division is important for healthy cell function. My research has found that the balance is shifted toward division in heart cells when they become injured.
A specific protein called Drp1 is needed for mitochondria to divide. Blocking Drp1 stops this division, which can protect the heart from damage after a heart attack. My project aims to explore the protective effect of a new medicine that targets Drp1. By stopping the changes in mitochondria, we hope our studies will provide a new treatment to reduce heart damage and improve outcomes in people after a heart attack.What difference will your research make to people’s cardiovascular health in Australia?
My research combines cutting edge stem cell strategies with tissue engineering (a technique to grow new heart tissue) and medicines. Through my research, we hope to find new and effective treatments with minimal side effects. We want to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease, reduce hospital readmissions and improve peoples’ quality of life.

Are there any discoveries from the past year from your research you can share with us?
I have previously identified a new population of stem cells in human hearts. These stem cells have a ‘secretome’; which refers to all the proteins released (or secreted) from the cells. Using an animal model of cardiovascular disease, I have recently shown that the stem cell secretome can help the heart repair after a heart attack. We are very excited about the potential of this work, as a possible new way to treat heart damage.
What role has Heart Foundation funding had in your career journey?
Funding from the Heart Foundation gives me a chance to make an impact on the lives of people with cardiovascular disease. Through my Heart Foundation Vanguard Grant, my team can test our innovative ideas to develop the next new life-saving treatment.Do you have a message for Heart Foundation supporters?
Thanks to funding from a Heart Foundation Vanguard Grant, our team can move forward with testing our new medicine which could prevent heart damage caused by a heart attack. With your support, these innovative ideas can become reality, and we can improve the lives of people who have had a heart attack.
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
If you're 45 and over, or 30 and over if you're of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you should book your Heart Health Check today...
Health Professional Tools
Health Professional Tools
Health Professional Tools
Guidelines, publications and support for the health professional community....
Heart Week 2022
Heart Week 2022
Heart Week 2022
With one Australian having a heart attack or stroke every 4 minutes, you have the power to change this statistic. ...
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
The power of your ongoing support can help save lives and keep more families together. Help us continue to fund promising heart research projects by donating today. ...
Get started with more physical activity
Get started with more physical activity
Get started with more physical activity
Finding time for physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your heart...
Mediterranean antipasto pizza
Mediterranean antipasto pizza
Mediterranean antipasto pizza
Let’s chew the fat about cholesterol: your top five questions answered
Let’s chew the fat about cholesterol: your top five questions answered
Let’s chew the fat about cholesterol: your top five questions answered
15 February 2022...
NSW Cardiovascular Research Network
NSW Cardiovascular Research Network
NSW Cardiovascular Research Network
Encouraging cardiovascular research excellence in NSW ...
PhysiCards: assisting mental health consumers to identify and seek care for heart health concerns
PhysiCards: assisting mental health consumers to identify and seek care for heart health concerns
Professor Jenny Bowman, Institution: The University of Newcastle...
Heart Foundation Tick
Heart Foundation Tick
Heart Foundation Tick
The Tick Program has made a substantial contribution to the health of Australians over the past 26 years....
Taking your heart medicines
Taking your heart medicines
Taking your heart medicines
Know what your heart medicines are for and how to take them. ...
Personal Walking Plan
Personal Walking Plan
Refer patients to a six-week free Personal Walking Plan...
WEBINAR | Heart Health Checks: the critical role of the practice nurse
WEBINAR | Heart Health Checks: the critical role of the practice nurse
WEBINAR | Heart Health Checks: the critical role of the practice nurse
This webinar discusses the role of practice nurses in conducting heart health checks...
GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH FUNDERS FORUM
GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH FUNDERS FORUM
GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH FUNDERS FORUM
FACILITATING INTERNATIONAL CLINICAL TRIALS ...
Staying active for better heart health
Staying active for better heart health
Staying active for better heart health
Moving more every day is one of the best habits you can have....
For Professionals: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples information and resources
For Professionals: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples information and resources
For Professionals: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples information and resources
Resources for providing best practice cardiovascular care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples....
National Heart Health Check Recall Program
National Heart Health Check Recall Program
National Heart Health Check Recall Program
Known as Text to Detect, this will be the largest quality improvement program of its kind in Australian primary care....
Donation receipts
Donation receipts
Donation receipts
Due to end of financial year and the ongoing lockdowns in several states, we are currently experiencing some delays in processing and receipting of donations....
Active Living NSW
Active Living NSW
Active Living NSW
Active Living NSW supports physical activity and healthy built environments in NSW ...
Donate Monthly | Become a Regular Donor
Donate Monthly | Become a Regular Donor
Donate Monthly | Become a Regular Donor
Join the fight against heart disease....
Dairy and your heart health
Dairy and your heart health
Dairy and your heart health
Not all dairy products are equal. Discover different types of dairy foods and their impact on heart health....
Dinner recipes
Dinner recipes
Dinner recipes
Search our heart healthy dinner recipes for tonights main meal...
Adopting dietary Digital Health Interventions at scale
Adopting dietary Digital Health Interventions at scale
Dr Rebecca Wyse, Institution: The University of Newcastle...
For professionals: Heart failure tools and resources
For professionals: Heart failure tools and resources
Resources for healthcare professionals on the management of patients with heart failure ...
Q&A with Dr Lewan Parker
Q&A with Dr Lewan Parker
Q&A with Dr Lewan Parker
Identifying microvascular dysfunction as a novel mechanism of poor health in heart failure patients....
State based advocacy
State based advocacy
State based advocacy activity supporting local communities...
Cardiac rehabilitation resources for healthcare providers
Cardiac rehabilitation resources for healthcare providers
Useful cardiac rehabilitation resources for health professionals....
Mushroom, feta and thyme omelette
Mushroom, feta and thyme omelette
Mushroom, feta and thyme omelette
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical Guidelines
Full list of clinical guidlines and references for CVD, heart failure, ACS, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, SCAD and RHD...